Last Updated on April 30, 2024 by Nikole

Finding the best camper van for traveling and camping can be intimidating. You will need a reliable one you can trust to get you to the best free camping spots. A van will take you through mountains, sandy beaches, or roads with potholes. Having a reliable vehicle and an emergency roadside kit will put your mind at ease in more ways than you can imagine.

There are many variations of vans you can choose from, and all of them offer different positives and negatives. Vans for traveling and camping will have different features than those used for work. Let’s get into all the features you need for.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure for more information.

Things to Consider before Purchasing a Camper van

Purchasing a camper van is the beginning step for your traveling journey. There are numerous things to think about, and here are some of the most important. You can use these as tips to point you in the right direction.

• Gas
• Driving ease
• Where to purchase
• Hauling weight
• Price range
• Size

Gas

Gas in 2022 is getting ridiculously high. It’s so ridiculous it makes one want to cry. If you don’t want your camper van guzzling gas stay away from diesel and big vans.

A small vehicle will allow you to save money and go on more adventures. A big vehicle may cost you more money, but it can take you places a small vehicle can’t.

How Easy is it To Drive

Because you drive your camper van a lot during your journeys, it’s important to find one you are comfortable driving. Always test drive your vehicle before you purchase it.

Here are some common complaints when it comes to driving a motor home.

• The length of the vehicle makes it hard to handle
• Blind spots are horrible
• The height makes people nervous going under bridges and parking garages

Where is the Best Place to Purchase a Van

There are several places you can purchase the perfect van, and all of these places pose a risk even if you buy one brand new. Dealers and private owners can hide problems easily. Always make sure to check over the vehicle before you make a purchase. Take the van you want to a mechanic you trust so they can look over it for you.

Remember, anyone can hide anything! We purchased our Ford Transit Connect from a Ford dealer in Charleston, South Carolina, only to have the check engine light pop up a few days later. Thankfully it only cost $300 to repair a leaky evac hose.

Here are all the places you can look to purchase a van for your mobile home.

• Dealer
• Used camper vans for sale by owner (through Facebook)
• Somewhere that builds camper vans for you

Hauling Weight

Yes, how much your camper van can haul is super important. You need to know how much weight you can place in the back of the van so you won’t exceed weight limits while building.

Exceeding weight limits building your camper van is highly unlikely. However, consider other things you will be hauling, such as; bikes, kayaks, and extra storage.

Price Range

It’s almost impossible to own a $100,000 or more camper van on top of paying rent or a mortgage: this is why people choose to build their own mobile home. You will find that the camper van alone can cost a pretty penny. To have someone build it for you will have you broke.

Our Ford Transit Connect conversion was less than $500, and the van was $11,000. You can convert a van cheaply if you know how to use the resources around you.

Size

It all comes down to the size of the van. It would be best to find out what you are willing to compromise to have the perfect living quarters.

If you are just a weekend warrior, I recommend purchasing a medium to a smaller van.

If you are living the van life, I would recommend a bigger van, so you have space for all of your storage and living items.

What Are the Different Sizes of Camper Vans

Every different size camper van serves a different purpose and is the most important factor to choosing the best camper van. Let’s check out some measurements of the different sizes.

Small

Small camper vans range from a Ford Transit Connect to a Nissan NV200 compact cargo van. Anything you can fit some of your belongings and a bed into can be converted into a camper van. However, it may be difficult to live or even travel full time in a small camper van due to the limited space.

Can You stand up in a small camper van? Typically you cannot stand up in a small camper van. You can, however, install a pop-top roof to create more head space.

Here are some average dimensions, weight, and towing weights for small vans. Remember that these are just average ranges, so not every van will be the same.

Medium

Medium-size camper vans are great for traveling long distances and in some cases are suitable for living in. The Chevrolet Express is a perfect example of a medium-sized van.

Can you Stand up in a medium-size camper van? It really depends on the make and model of the camper van. Most medium-sized camper vans will allow you to stand up in them. The Chevrolet Express has too low of a roof but is still considered a medium-size van because of its length.

Large

Even though large camper vans are the most suitable to live in, they can prove to be hard to drive and tend to be gas guzzlers.

Large vans can range anywhere from Ram Promasters or Sprinter vans.

Can you stand up in a large camper van? Most large camper vans will allow you to stand up in them, this also depends on the vehicle. You also need to be aware of how you’re building your van. Don’t make your floors too thick or ceilings too low.

Height

Height also plays into the whole size thing. There are many different height sizes of vans, but you can categorize them into three different groups.

• H1- These are the most standard rooftops for vans.
• H2- This usually refers to high-top versions of vans.
• H3- Typically describes extra high-top van roofs.

These rooftops are important for your van choice. Typically H2- H3 will allow most 6 ft people to stand up inside the van.

It’s also important to know which roof you have because of low clearance bridges, drive-throughs, and parking garages. Make sure you know the exact height of your vehicle before you attempt to go under something that seems low.

What are Some of the Best Camper Van Brands to Purchase

You can convert any van into a camper van as long as you can fit a bed and some storage. There are, however, favorite vans amongst the gurus that you may want to consider.

Sprinter

Mercedes Sprinter vans come in several options from cargo to passenger vans. All of them seem to be the most popular to convert into a camper van. Here are some of the main reasons why people love the Sprinter van as their home on wheels.

Pros

• Offer the longest wheelbase ( the longest wheelbase is 170”) making the living space even bigger.
• Because of its largeness, more people can live in the Sprinter and stand up in the cargo area.
• Has the capability of a diesel heater hook-up because it has a diesel engine.
• Can fit a small bathroom inside the van.
• Has 7.4″ of ground clearance.

Cons

• Doesn’t have good gas mileage because of the diesel engine.
• Often the priciest van option especially when bought brand new.
• Expensive to work on

Specs of a 2022 Mercedes-Benz 2500 Sprinter Standard Roof RWD

There are several Sprinter versions you can purchase, but I am referring to the 2500 Sprinter (the year 2022) with a standard roof and rear-wheel drive in the table below. Here are some of the important specs for this vehicle.

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Ram Promaster 1500

The Ram Promaster 1500 is comparably cheaper than Transits and Sprinter vans, even when new. The box-like interior of the van makes living quarters seem more spacious than that of the rounded Sprinter vans.

All-in-all the Ram Promaster is a great reliable vehicle and could be your new home on wheels, let’s look at the overall pros and cons of the vehicle.

Pros

• Cheaper than most other types of vans, at least for this size.
• Easy to fix due to the basic nature of the vehicle.
• Appear to be most spacious.
• Cheap to fix because parts are easy to find.
•  6.9″ of ground clearance making it less likely to scrape the ground when driving over ruts in the road.
• The best option for stealth camping is due to its lower roofs.

Cons

• Parts are very cheaply made making them break easier. Even though it’s cheap to find parts, you may be doing so often.
• Uncomfortable drive with no lumbar support and hard seats. This would make long-distance travel almost unbearable.
• Because of its unpopularity, the Promaster doesn’t have many customizable components for van life, whereas Transits and Sprinters do.
• Reports of getting stuck while off-roading due to front-wheel drive.

Specs For the 2022 Ram Promaster 2500 Window Van High Roof 159″ WB

These specs are based on a brand new 2022 Ram Promaster 2500 with a high roof.

Ford Transit

The Ford Transit is 2nd most popular next to the Sprinter van when it comes to mobile homes, and for a good reason. Because it has a comfortable interior, this van makes for a great home on wheels. You can also find cheap parts if it breaks down, and most mechanics will work on the vehicle. It seems to be the most reliable option for this price point.

Here are all of the pros and cons of this van.

Pros

• Slightly cheaper than the Sprinter van.
• Easily find parts to fix it.
• The rear-wheel-drive makes it easier to get up sketchy hills.
• Allows for rotating seats which gives your living quarters a place to sit.
• Has a comfortable interior.

Cons

• 6.3″ of ground clearance makes the Transit the lowest vehicle of the Sprinter and Promaster.
• Reported Transmission issues in some vehicles.
• No 4X4 Options.

Specs of a Brand New 2022 Ford Transit

The specs listed are only for a brand new 2022 Ford Transit van.

What is the Best Camper Van for Conversion?

If you are looking for a cheap conversion with all the bells and whistles, you are out of luck, but you can get pretty close. The Ford Transit, though no 4X4 option, has other positive features that come at a great price point.

Due to its spacious interior and is easy to work on, the Ford Transit is hands down the best van to convert. I would know; I have a smaller version of it.

What are the Best Small Camper Vans to Buy?

Why would anyone want a small van if you can barely fit anything in it? For one, they make for some of the most affordable camper vans along with these features.

• Gas
• Easy to drive
• Weekend warriors
• Cheep conversions

We have a small camper van, and it’s fantastic for short trips. For those of you who just want something for a few short weekend trips, or travel part-time this is perfect for you. Here are a few great vans you can use for van life.

Ford Transit Connect

If you want a great vehicle with fantastic gas mileage, look no further than the Ford Transit Connect. Unfortunately, you cannot stand up in such a small van, but the 2012 high rooftop version will give plenty of space to sit in the bed.

Our Transit Connect camper van (the one in the picture collage above) gives us plenty of room for a pull-out slat bed, a tv, and some storage. It serves as a perfect weekend home away from home.

This van isn’t suitable for two people but we make it work, you just have to be more creative with your space. Even though there is little space it is one of the most affordable camper vans and is the cheapest van to convert to a camper.

Pros

• Great gas mileage
• The high-top version provides more space
• Easy to handle
• Plenty of storage space

Cons

• Doesn’t handle going up steep hills well
• Not good for off-roading/ and rough terrain
• Not suitable for two people
• Can be a bit cramped at times

Specs of a 2012 Ford Transit Connect High Roof

Chevy Express

A Chevy Express van, like the 2003 one pictured above (say hello to my camper van friend, Kelton Pataffie!), is unlike most smaller-size vans. It has a longer cargo area, allowing you to store more gear and a good-sized bed. Unfortunately, you cannot stand up in a Chevy Express, but isn’t the whole point of living the van life to spend more time outdoors?

Kelton, who lives in Canada, has successfully made a trip from her hometown to High Point, North Carolina ( Across the entire US), and back without a problem.

Kelton recommends installing a ceiling fan like the Max air vent to keep your van cool. Because it’s a work van, there aren’t many luxuries like cruise control. The van is fairly easy to navigate despite its long body. She said it’s fairly easy backing it up and easy to drive.

Pros

• Long cargo area
• More room to store camper van gear
• 1500 series has AWD
• Common (meaning you can find them anywhere, and you can easily create a stealthy campervan)

Cons

• The lowest roof of this size range camper van
• Not your most luxurious vehicle

Nissan NV200 Cargo Van

The Nissan NV200 cargo van is the Ford Transit Connects twin as far as space, maintenance, and reliability. It is only big enough for one person, but two CAN fit in the cargo area with a full-size mattress (it just depends on how cramped you want to be).

There is one slight difference with this van. I’ve heard different stories, but most of them end in, “the van gave me too many problems.” This depends on a lot of things like previous damage, mileage, and who you purchase it from.

There are other success stories as well like with Trip of a Lifestyle’s camper van. These folks have had plenty of success with theirs.

Pros

• Can find them fairly cheap used
• An alternative option to Ford Transit Connect
• Best gas mileage in this size range

Cons

• Limited availability
• Rumors of them breaking down
• Fairly small for a camper van

Specs of a 2021 Nissan NV200 Cargo Van

What are the Most Reliable Camper Vans

Some of the most reliable camper vans are the Ford Transits and the Mercedes Sprinter vans. These are two of the favorites among camper van conversions and for good reason.

One of the best ways to see if a camper van, or any vehicle, is reliable is to think about whether you have seen one broken down on the side of the road. I’ve seen plenty of both vans in NC, but none of them broken down.

I haven’t heard of anyone having major problems with these two types of vans. Typically it’s minor things that go wrong with them.

What are Some of the Best Camper Van Rental Places

Aren’t sure you are cut out for the camper van life? Check out our pros and cons list of traveling in a tiny home. You can also rent one out and try it for yourself. This will get you into the camper van world without spending money to convert one yourself, only to find out you don’t like it.

Here are 3 companies I would recommend renting from.

Outdoorsy

Outdoorsy will show you camper vans that are for rent from other people. This also means, that if you have a camper van and need some extra cash you can rent yours out.

RVezy

RVezy is just like outdoorsy. You can find a camper van to rent from someone who has posted theirs for rent on the platform. You can find a camper van or an RV near you from a personal owner. This also means you can put yours up for rent to make some extra income.

Escape Camper vans

Escape Camper vans is a company that puts its own vans out for rent. It’s strictly just camper vans. Instead of renting from an owner that has posted on the website platform, you are renting from the company’s own fleet of camper vans.

This company is mostly found on the west coast of the United States and they have a few places in Canada. They also rent out in New York and Florida.

What Company Makes Conversion Vans?

If you don’t have time or you just don’t have the patience to purchase and build your own, you can look into a company that makes conversion vans.

I will warn you, that most of these companies charge a ton of money for labor and high-end camper van packages. You can build a van cheaper than what they will build. I can’t give you an exact price, but they range anywhere between $48,000- $200,000. Here are some of the best camper van building companies I came across.

Wonderlust vans

Wonderlust Vans offers a van building service. You can purchase your own van, send it to them, and they will build your dream home on wheels.

They have several different options. Wonderlust vans will build you a camper van with all the bells and whistles, just a simple package, or they can build you the basics (installation, walls, floors) and you can finish it up.

You will need to set up an appointment to get free consultation and estimates for your camper van.

Most of the Wonderlust shops are located on the east coast of the US.

Bespokecampervan

Bespokecampervan gives you the option of picking one of their vans and customizing the package right on their site. They will give you several add-ons as you go through the customization on their website. They also give you an estimate of how much each item will cost.

I love this site because the prices are laid out for you in an organized manner.

Sportsmobile

Sportsmobile is a company that you can only find in Texas and Indiana. They do have an option to order from them. With a down payment of $4,000, you can start your dream home on wheels.

They have several options you can choose from including these popular vans

• Sprinter
• Transit
• Chevy
• Promaster

Instead, you can bring your own van to Sportsmobile and they can convert it for you.

This site has everything laid out for you so you can easily see what will be placed in your van. If you want twin beds, no problem! Is a bathroom a must for you, they can do it! They even go into such detail that they have the measurements of each make and model they sell.

Concluding Thoughts

Choosing perfect camper vans for traveling and camping is the first step to living a dream life. Don’t get too overwhelmed when you are purchasing one to convert, it may take some time to find the perfect one for the perfect price. Let me know in the comments what type of camper van you want for your dream home.